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Sounders Academy

Academy travels to Sweden and Sounders compete in All-Star game

Cris Batiz and Basil Kuprishov play a half for West

,   and  Taylor Wimberly
Last Updated
5 min read

The month of July is the “offseason” for the academy league and flex seasons, but there were still a couple of events to highlight. 

Gothia Cup

Last year, the academy traveled to Qatar for the AKLASS International Cup to participate in a premier youth tournament. This year they again travelled internationally for a tournament, heading to Gothenburg, Sweden for the Gothia Cup. 

The Sounders brought their U18s to compete with 24 other teams for the boys 17 Gothia Puma Trophy. The field included some premier academy teams from around the world, including the Right to Dream from Ghana.

The Puma Trophy started with each team playing 4 matches, receiving a placement ranking based on points earned. The top 4 went into playoff A and the next 4 into playoff B, while the remaining teams would play a consolation match against the team next to them in the table.

The Sounders had a bit of a disappointing performance, finishing 18th in the initial table on 3 points. They ended the tournament on a positive note with a convincing win in their consolation match.

Roster

  • Jackson Dale (2010) - GK
  • Dima Johnson (2009) - GK
  • Basil Kuprishov (2010) - CB
  • Bridger Sandnes (2010) - CB
  • Max Boltz (2010) - FB/CB
  • Paolo Hurtado (2009) - FB/CB
  • Micah Holley (2009) - CB/CM
  • Josh Espino (2010) - LB/CM
  • Chris Montero (2010) - CM
  • Deyan Radosavljevic (2010) - CM
  • Angel Mora (2010) - CM
  • Bryan Cisneros (2009) - CM
  • Adrian Ton (2009) - CM/RW/LW
  • Taiki Sugitani (2009) - FB/RW/LW
  • Omar Hassan (2009) - RW/LW
  • Cris Batiz (2011) - RW/LW
  • Landon Lucero (2010) - CF/RW/LW
  • Juma Hassani (2009) - RW/LW
  • Ronan Leeming (2009) - CF/CM
  • Thiago Silva (2009) - RW/LW/CM

Results

Below are the results, including the lineups to start the first and second halves. The substitution patterns were fluid, allowing unlimited subs and to return players that had previously been subbed out. 

Sounders (1) vs IFK Goteberg (2)

First half lineup (4-3-3): Jackson Dale; Josh Espino, Bridger Sandnes, Basil Kuprishov, Taiki Sugitani; Bryan Cisneros, Chris Montero, Adrian Ton; Thiago Silva, Ronan Leeming , Omar Hassan

Second half lineup (4-1-2-3): Jackson Dale, Taiki Sugitani, Bridger Sandnes, Basil Kuprishov, Micah Holley; Deyan Radosavljevic; Cris Batiz, Ronan Leeming; Thiago Silva, Landon Lucero, Omar Hassan

Goals

  • ⚽Landon Lucero (Deyan Radosavljevic)

Sounders (3) vs IF Elfsborg (1)

First half lineup (4-3-3): Dima Johnson; Taiki Sugitani, Bridger Sandnes, Max Boltz, Paolo Hurtado; Micah Holley, Deyan Radsavljevic, Angel Mora; Cris Batiz, Landon Lucero, Juma Hassani

Second half lineup (4-1-2-3): Dima Johnson; Josh Espino, Basil Kuprishov, Max Boltz, Paolo Hurtado; Micah Holley, Deyan Radosavljevic, Angel Moral; Taiki Sugitani, Landon Lucero, Juma Hassani

Goals

  • ⚽Landon Lucero
  • ⚽Landon Lucero
  • ⚽Chris Montero (Thiago Silva)

Sounders (0) vs Right to Dream (2)

First half lineup (4-3-3): Jackson Dale; Paolo Hurtado, Bridger Sandnes, Basil Kuprishov, Max Boltz; Bryan Cisneros, Chris Montero, Adrian Ton; Taiki Sugitani, Landon Lucero, Omar Hassan

Second half lineup (4-3-3): Jackson Dale, Paolo Hurtado, Bridger Sandnes, Basil Kuprishov, Max Boltz; Bryan Cisneros, Deyan Radosavljevic, Angel Mora; Taiki Sugitani, Landon Lucero, Ronan Leeming

Sounders (2) vs Gambinos Stars (4)

First half lineup (4-3-3): Dima Johnson; Josh Espino, Bridger Sandnes, Micah Holley, Paolo Hurtado; Deyan Radosavljevic, Chris Montero, Angel Mora; Juma Hassani, Ronan Leeming, Cris Batiz

Second half lineup (4-3-3): Dima Johnson; Bridger Sandnes, Micah Holley, Basil Kuprishov, Max Boltz; Deyan Radosavljevic, Chris Montero, Angel Mora; Cris Batiz, Landon Lucero, Taiki Sugitani

Goals

  • ⚽Landon Lucero (Bridger Sandnes)
  • ⚽Omar Hassan (Landon Lucero)

Sounders (3) vs NorCal Premier PDP (0)

First half lineup (4-3-3): Jackson Dale; Josh Espino, Bridger Sandnes, Basil Kuprishov, Taiki Sugitani; Bryan Cisneros, Chris Montero, Adrian Ton; Omar Hassan, Landon Lucero, Thiago Silva

Second half lineup (4-3-3): Jackson Dale, Josh Espino, Bridger Sandnes, Micah Holley, Taiki Sugitani; Bryan Cisneros, Chris Montero, Adrian Ton; Cris Batiz, Landon Lucero, Thiago Silva

Goals

  • ⚽Bryan Cisneros
  • ⚽Thiago Silva (Landon Lucero)
  • ⚽Ronan Leeming

Key Performers

Landon Lucero

Lucero had an outstanding tournament, finishing with 4 goals and 2 assists across the 5 games played. He was the primary offensive threat for the team, playing a classic target striker role which fits his game, as he is already physical presence at only 16 years old. This was on display with his opening goal of the tournament against IFK Gotebery, where he attacked a cross from Deyan Radosavljevic, beating the defender in the air to finish with his head. Even though he was the primary goalscorer, his most exciting play was an assist to Omar Hassan in the Gambinos Stars game. A loose ball found its way to Lucero, who made a beautiful back-heel turn to beat the defender at his back and then play a perfectly weighted ball that Hassan finished toward the right side of the penalty box. Lucero is already building a strong youth resume, being named in the U16 USYNT camp in February as well as starting to make Defiance game day rosters.

Chris Montero

Montero has been around the academy teams for a while, but this tournament really caught the eye with his play in central midfield. He is a passing metronome, often playing quick one- or two-touch passes and seemingly always knowing where he wants the ball to progress before he receives it. While he controls the tempo, he also recognizes when there is opportunity to push the ball forward via a pass or dribble. He pulled out several plays that belong on a highlight reel with a pirouette turn in the center of the park and a back-heel pass down the line against IFK Goteberg. He also showed to be goal dangerous from this deeper lying position. Again in the first game he received a pass from Ronan Leeming at the top of the box that he put just wide. He finally got his goal against IF Elsborg, finishing off an 11-pass sequence in the side netting from the top of the box. Montero looks to be an under-the-radar prospect who has a soccer intelligence that should serve him well as he progresses through the system.

MLS Next All-Star Game

The other big youth event from a Sounders perspective was the MLS Next All-Star Game, where Cris Batiz and Basil Kuprishov were selected. The game was split with different starting lineups for each half, with both Sounders playing the second 45 minutes. This was a good thing, given the West lost the game 6-1, but 5 of those goals were conceded in the first half.

The second half of the game was a relatively even affair between the West and the East. Kuprishov was lined up as the right centerback and Batiz played as the right winger, though he pinched inside when the team was in possession. Neither player had any particularly notable plays. Batiz was involved in some attacks, getting off a couple shots that were blocked. Kuprishov looked composed in helping to keep an organized back line.

This was an earned capstone to the year for each of these players, especially Batiz. He had an incredible academy season, winning the golden boot at GA Cup and earning a contract with Tacoma Defiance at 15 years old.

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